My teaching philosophy can be put into straight forward terms. All students have different experiences, and that means that no one is the same. As a teacher it is my job to get all of these different students and get them thinking about chemistry. How I do this is up to me. I believe that each student brings something unique to the classroom and I will foster the growth of that uniqueness, by letting students express themselves, providing them a knowledgeable background in the field of chemistry, and create an environment for students to feel comfortable and confident. In my mind these are important aspects in a teaching philosophy, and can lead to success in the classroom.
Starting with students being able to express themselves, it is important to make sure that my students know that I am not here to judge them, but I am here to help them. Students in high school can come to class and feel intimidated by other students that are much more outgoing. The outgoing students have no trouble expressing themselves, but if I can stand up and make room for those with less to say then hopefully they can be more expressive during the day. Although speaking in class is not the only way in which students can express themselves. I want to let students know that if they ever feel that they don’t want to speak out in class, that I am always available to help them out in a more one on one period. Some students get the key concept in a class atmosphere, but need one on one to refine their skills. Also, incorporating things into my classroom that allow students to show me their work in a less traditional way is important. Some students like myself would rather write a paper on how chemistry is involved in the community, but if I can offer the option of maybe a brochure or a poster explaining the same thing it gives other students a chance to shine. That is my main point in letting students express themselves, I want them to shine and students shine in all different lights, and as teacher I will try and incorporate as many lights as I can. This parallels the theory or multiple intelligence method. This is tied in with differentiated instruction. If I can use this as much as possible then hopefully I can see some results.
Providing the background in chemistry is depending who you talk to is the most important part of my job. I don’t agree that it is the most important, because I believe everything is most important. But knowing my subject and being able to transfer my knowledge to my students is important. I personally like a more old school approach with some new school attitude. Many high school students think chemistry is full of crazy scientists, and they are not too far off. I want to model the crazy chemistry teacher. If I can come into class and bring an overwhelming enthusiastic attitude, then it makes my students pay attention. One thing that I really like as a chemistry teacher is doing problems on the board with the whole class. If I am leading the problem, but the information is coming from the students, they are all learning. As the teacher I have to ask the right questions to get that light bulb moment from my class. Doing problems on the board is the old school part, but being energetic is the new school part. Nothing is worse than listening to a boring teacher with the same monotone voice I don’t ever plan on being that teacher. This is just one example of how I will increase the background knowledge of my students.
One last thing I mentioned was an environment that allowed students to feel comfortable and confident. People say that first impressions are lasting impressions. I know from experience that parents tell their students to make sure they make a good impression in front of Mr. Vayda, but I am trying to make a good impression in front of them. If they walk in and see that I have a classroom set up with stuff on the walls, and I show them the first day that I am here for them, then it makes that student feel a little bit more comfortable when I start to introduce chemistry topics. School is not put in place stress out students, but to make them feel confident in themselves to go into the world and make something of their self. It starts in the classroom, and my classroom is somewhere that a young person can be their self and engage in intellectual conversation, and learn about chemistry, and learn how to be a successful contributor to the world.
One more thing I would like to add is my connection with students. I know that I will not have a connection with all students but if I can somehow find a way over the course of a semester to make a small connection with each and every student then I think that I will gain more respect in the classroom. It is a way that I can show that Mr. Vayda isnt out to get you rather that I am here to help you and walk you through my class. Chemistry is not easy and most of you will struggle, but the key is me. I am here for you and I want to make that clear. So I believe that a connection with the each student or a connection with the class in general will facilitate the process.
There is an underlying theme throughout this entire philosophy, and that is it is for the student. I am not a teacher for me I am a teacher for the student. These are three main points that I addressed, because I think that I will be able to do this in my classroom, and that these can lead to a positive and successful learning experience. There are things I didn’t mention that I will also hold near in my classroom, but these three points about expressing, learning, and confidence are all attributes that a good student needs to exemplify, and it is up to me the teacher to help them along. Every student that walks through my door is more than capable, but can I get them to be the best that they can be? That is the question that I will ask myself every day, and I hope that I can do this for all my students.
I stand behind my teaching philosophy although I would have to add that sequence in which I go through a topic is something I really want to think about when I have a class. I want to make sure that I can navigate a unit and have it make sense. Because I feel that chemistry is all about process, and if you provide a easy way to follow that process then the students will understand better. Also, questioning making sure that high level questioning that is used throughout the class is important. It allows them to understand that you know they are smart and as the teacher I want to get that out of them. These are both for the paragraph of content. I know the content but trying to convey the content to the students I found to be much more involved then I thought before my experience.
Starting with students being able to express themselves, it is important to make sure that my students know that I am not here to judge them, but I am here to help them. Students in high school can come to class and feel intimidated by other students that are much more outgoing. The outgoing students have no trouble expressing themselves, but if I can stand up and make room for those with less to say then hopefully they can be more expressive during the day. Although speaking in class is not the only way in which students can express themselves. I want to let students know that if they ever feel that they don’t want to speak out in class, that I am always available to help them out in a more one on one period. Some students get the key concept in a class atmosphere, but need one on one to refine their skills. Also, incorporating things into my classroom that allow students to show me their work in a less traditional way is important. Some students like myself would rather write a paper on how chemistry is involved in the community, but if I can offer the option of maybe a brochure or a poster explaining the same thing it gives other students a chance to shine. That is my main point in letting students express themselves, I want them to shine and students shine in all different lights, and as teacher I will try and incorporate as many lights as I can. This parallels the theory or multiple intelligence method. This is tied in with differentiated instruction. If I can use this as much as possible then hopefully I can see some results.
Providing the background in chemistry is depending who you talk to is the most important part of my job. I don’t agree that it is the most important, because I believe everything is most important. But knowing my subject and being able to transfer my knowledge to my students is important. I personally like a more old school approach with some new school attitude. Many high school students think chemistry is full of crazy scientists, and they are not too far off. I want to model the crazy chemistry teacher. If I can come into class and bring an overwhelming enthusiastic attitude, then it makes my students pay attention. One thing that I really like as a chemistry teacher is doing problems on the board with the whole class. If I am leading the problem, but the information is coming from the students, they are all learning. As the teacher I have to ask the right questions to get that light bulb moment from my class. Doing problems on the board is the old school part, but being energetic is the new school part. Nothing is worse than listening to a boring teacher with the same monotone voice I don’t ever plan on being that teacher. This is just one example of how I will increase the background knowledge of my students.
One last thing I mentioned was an environment that allowed students to feel comfortable and confident. People say that first impressions are lasting impressions. I know from experience that parents tell their students to make sure they make a good impression in front of Mr. Vayda, but I am trying to make a good impression in front of them. If they walk in and see that I have a classroom set up with stuff on the walls, and I show them the first day that I am here for them, then it makes that student feel a little bit more comfortable when I start to introduce chemistry topics. School is not put in place stress out students, but to make them feel confident in themselves to go into the world and make something of their self. It starts in the classroom, and my classroom is somewhere that a young person can be their self and engage in intellectual conversation, and learn about chemistry, and learn how to be a successful contributor to the world.
One more thing I would like to add is my connection with students. I know that I will not have a connection with all students but if I can somehow find a way over the course of a semester to make a small connection with each and every student then I think that I will gain more respect in the classroom. It is a way that I can show that Mr. Vayda isnt out to get you rather that I am here to help you and walk you through my class. Chemistry is not easy and most of you will struggle, but the key is me. I am here for you and I want to make that clear. So I believe that a connection with the each student or a connection with the class in general will facilitate the process.
There is an underlying theme throughout this entire philosophy, and that is it is for the student. I am not a teacher for me I am a teacher for the student. These are three main points that I addressed, because I think that I will be able to do this in my classroom, and that these can lead to a positive and successful learning experience. There are things I didn’t mention that I will also hold near in my classroom, but these three points about expressing, learning, and confidence are all attributes that a good student needs to exemplify, and it is up to me the teacher to help them along. Every student that walks through my door is more than capable, but can I get them to be the best that they can be? That is the question that I will ask myself every day, and I hope that I can do this for all my students.
I stand behind my teaching philosophy although I would have to add that sequence in which I go through a topic is something I really want to think about when I have a class. I want to make sure that I can navigate a unit and have it make sense. Because I feel that chemistry is all about process, and if you provide a easy way to follow that process then the students will understand better. Also, questioning making sure that high level questioning that is used throughout the class is important. It allows them to understand that you know they are smart and as the teacher I want to get that out of them. These are both for the paragraph of content. I know the content but trying to convey the content to the students I found to be much more involved then I thought before my experience.